Funds Needed To Build Puerto Rican Memorial

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August 1, 1999

The project to raise funds for a Puerto Rican veterans memorial was launched Thursday with plans to raise more than $100,000. The aim of the one-year project is to commission a 14-foot bronze sculpture to honor the thousands of Puerto Ricans who have fought in every U.S. war this century.

Organizer Danny Ramos said the group has tapped Felix Velez as sculptor. Velez has done commercial work throughout Central Florida, Ramos said.

The memorial would be placed at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, but plans are to have a replica in the Orlando area as well, said Ramos, president of the National Hispanic Corporate Achievers, a co-sponsor of the project. The second major co-sponsor is Banco Popular.

To raise funds, organizers plan to cast a limited edition of smaller bronzes to sell to corporate sponsors and others.